[ oh for fu--saaaaaaakes. he groans and rolls his eyes. normally he doesn't mind showing off. he is just a bit prickly given ... well. everything. ]

Magic. [ said flatly, matter of fact. he's surprised someone in this town hasn't heard about it yet. ] It's not workin' like it should be. Meaning until we need to use it? No point in worrying about it.

[ he gestures to the book again. ] Tell me what you're hunting for and I might show you somethin' else.